Heralded freshman running back recruit Al-Terek McBurse was finally given the green light by the NCAA's eligibility clearinghouse Friday, a week after the conclusion of spring practice, which he graduated early from high school to take part in.

Nevertheless, the hold-up is over and McBurse, a former four-star recruit and the jewel, on paper, of Purdue's incoming freshman class, is eligible to play as a freshman.

Coach Danny Hope believes he will.

"If he plays like he did in high school, he will," Hope said after Saturday's spring game, when asked if McBurse could still make an impact after missing all of spring. "He's a great player."

Throughout the spring, Hope maintained that McBurse's clearance was likely just a matter of time and that the rookie from the Orlando area was doing very well in school.

"He might be on the dean's list," Hope quipped.

For the ambitious freshman, Friday's news was more than welcomed.

"It's a huge relief," McBurse said in a released statement. "I want to thank my high school and the NCAA for seeing me through the process, and I appreciate Coach Hope and everyone at Purdue sticking with me."

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